Like many, I’ve utilized the services of coaches throughout my professional career. Depending upon the situation, I’ve hired sales coaches, life coaches, physical fitness coaches and, of late, because I’ll be speaking next month in China, a Mandarin Language coach.
Joy, my Mandarin coach, told me recently that she was going to show me something that would make her services “obsolete” to me. It was a way to utilize the Internet to help with pronunciations that had been difficult for me.
While it was a helpful suggestion, as are the Pimsleur CDs I’ve been listening to, it hardly made her obsolete. I explained to her that the actual language learning is only a small part of the benefit I derive from her coaching.
It’s the same with Diane, my awesome personal trainer. I work with her six days per week and she puts me through resistance training and cardio, as well as an eating program (ahem, she actually cooks all my meals for me in advance – I think I love her). 🙂 With her help, I’ve gotten rid of 14 unwanted pounds (6 more to go to hit my goal), added muscle, and my suits – that had somehow shrunk since I’d bought them – are fitting more comfortably.
And yet, I don’t train with Diane only so she can show me the exercises and prepare the meals.
I find that, while indeed, the actual teachings of the coaches whose services I’ve used have benefited me greatly, that wasn’t the only benefit I received from them.
Once the basic skills had been learned, the huge benefit was the accountability. It was both an encouragement and a “forced discipline” – that helped me to achieve success in the specific areas I desired.
And, accountability, aside from just the showing up (yes, especially with regards to working out) 🙂 for further instruction ensures that, in terms of skills, the fundamentals continue to be practiced correctly. Without the constant and consistent instruction, it can be too easy to fall back into bad habits.
Of course, those are just my thoughts. Have you ever utilized the services of a coach? Do you now? And, what have you/do you find the biggest benefits to be?
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GREAT POST! I agree 100% — Accountability is a key benefit of having coaches.
I am an aggressive user of coaches, and long have been. For exactly the reason you cite. Beyond knowledge, a coach brings accountability.
Now for those who believe they can’t afford a coach, I want to remind all that there are lots of ways to get accountability without any monetary cost. One can barter with a coach. One can get an “accountability buddy” or participate in an accontability group (eg a running group). Etc. Etc.
Few among us would not benefit by some added accountability, in some area of our life. The good news is that help is available to all of us who CHOOSE to make a change.
Speaking of which, kudos to you Bob on the changes you are making. And a special thanks for this post which has me now pondering where I need to dial up some more accountability in my own life.
I so appreciate your wisdom and the consistency with which you share it with us. Thank you, my friend.
Another awesome post Bob, as well as a great testament to the value a coach provides. (lol at Dave’s comment that he is an AGGRESSIVE user of coaches~I love it!)
For me, the biggest benefit of having a coach is also that accountability. Committing to do “whatever” before our next session, keeps me consistently moving forward. Now I’ll admit that sometimes I find myself scrambling (don’t tell my coach) to complete my assignment on the morning of our session. It’s then that I realize the true value, because if I waited a week to “do the thing” when I have a coach, what are the chances I’d be getting it done without a coach. Slim to none! I may be a tad bit biased, but I feel that life is just…BETTER…when you have a coach.
CLB: Thank you. I appreciate your feedback.
Dave: Many thanks. Great points, indeed. While a formal coach in a specific area of expertise is certainly desirable, two people can also serve as each others’ accountability partners. There are many ways to make things like this a very workable and productive situation. And, thank you for your always very kind and complimentary words.
Linda: Thank you. And, while you are too humble to say that you, yourself are a very sought-after coach, you are, and you do a terrific job. And, I know your coach, and she is (and does), as well. 🙂
Bob,
I definitely agree with the accountability aspect. I also invest in my own success through the support of expert coaches.
It’s very interesting that you break down accountability to mean ‘encouragement’ in addition to ‘forced discipline’ above. My view is that the main reason we ever need enCOURAGEment is because at some level we are afraid. Why else would we need to engage and activate our courage?
It could be that we’re afraid we’ll put in the effort and not get results. Maybe we’re afraid it will be painful or we’ll do it wrong and look foolish. Even ‘being too busy’ is often the result of an unseen fear.
I think the biggest value I get from coaching is the support in stepping through my rational and irrational fears that prevent me from doing what I know.
Another important factor about accountability through coaching is that it’s accountability to what you’ve determined is important. The most powerful way I know of to continually build our self esteem is to make and follow through on commitments to ourselves. This simple act sends many powerful messages to our unconscious that set us up for further success.
Jim, those are excellent insights, my friend. Thank you!
I really appreciated the contrast of examples here – a language coach and a fitness coach. Often when I get caught up in all the “what is a coach” challenges and all the “if you don’t do THIS you aren’t coaching” boxes, I go back to just what you illustrate here – purpose and outcomes.
Why do you hire a coach? (purpose) Because you want to be better at something.
What do you get out of working with a coach? (outcomes) You GET better at that something.
What does the coach actually do for you? (process) ?????? This is where people get unnecessarily hung up, wrapped around the axle, in a quandary, and sometimes in an argument (like THAT’S going to lead to desirable outcomes!)
I think there ARE some basic elements of the coaching process and accountability is definitely one of them. I also think reflection (the ability to accurately reflect back to the client their own actions, choices, words, etc… so that they can make better choices) and suggestions for improvement (offering suggestions based on expertise and observation) are two others.
So I’m guessing that your coaches provide accountability (not by scolding or babysitting, but because your improvement will be monitored each time you connect with them) but also reflect your performance back to you (correcting nuances of inflection or position during an exercise) and offer suggestions of things you might do to achieve better outcomes (“try placing your tongue at the front of your mouth on those consonants” or “try shifting your body weight more to your heels on that lift.”)
The real magic with a coach happens when you work with one who “gets” you, who understands the outcomes you want to achieve and is perceptive about the little things that are holding you back, AND who “gets’ the “game” you want to play. THAT’S when you not only get better at something, you actually get better than you ever dreamed of being!
Hmmmm – maybe this should be on my website? LOL
Thank you, Dixie; awesome, as always. I love what you wrote and…yes, I believe it should be on your coaching website!!!!!
Of course, I 100% agree. As a coach, I myself use coaches because I believe in getting results.
As you, and so many others point out, a coach is more than just “knowledge.” It is about using that knowledge and having a willingness to change, if necessary, to achieve optimum performance. That is where the accountability piece comes in..a coach holds you accountable to YOUR OWN GOALS, so that you WANT to change.
And, if you go to a trainer and say that you want to lose 15 pounds; be ready to get on that scale every week!
Great points, Roger. Terrific! Thank you for sharing!
As always Bob, you have hit the nail on the head. Having a coach will keep you between the white lines, focused, and most of all accountable to reach your goals. Left alone we can all wonder in the the bright shiny lights and get distracted, but when we know we have a coach in our corner that is going to hold our feet to the fire, then miraculously we end up in a much better place.
Tim, thank you. I always appreciate your kind and encouraging comments!
I couldn’t agree more, Bob. I too have a personal trainer, and just hired a new coach. He’s tough, but he’s committed to my results…he guarantees them, so why wouldn’t I use him? A few weeks ago I wrote in an ezine that it is important for me to walk the talk, too. If I want to take a quantum leap in my business, there is no better way to do it. Someone said you can save as much as 30% of your time by using a coach and it is true. If we want better clients, we must be better coaches. Right? Thanks for sharing as always, my friend!
Best,
Gail
Right? Absolutely right!! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more, Bob! I will ALWAYS have a coach. It’s like breathing for me! In the past, I had many awsome leaders and mentors (that I suppose were coaches, but they didn’t know it!). I, myself, have been a sales leader, mentor and boss to people over they years…..and I guess I was doing a bit of coaching along the way!
I look forward to my weekly coaching! I love the accountabiliity/assignments (thanks, Lindar!)… but most of all, I am grateful for the non-judgemental perspective from my coach, as well as her genuine interest in helping me be the best I can be.
On a final note…. in the many years I was making big money, I didn’t have a coach! In the recent years, when I was floating my company without much to invest in myself, I found my coach. So for all you coaches out there… there may be people that don’t think they can afford to invest in coaching…. but hopefully will realize that they can’t afford not to invest in you… so they may find a way!
Mary, thank you. That was a very powerful message. Thank you for sharing!
Nice post, Bob. I have used a fitness coach/trainer and found the benefits far pass loosing a few inches. My trainer taught me discipline which I could transfer into my work habits. He also taught me resilience which I could utilize when overcoming personal/professional obstacles. My coach also exemplified trust and commitment. LOL…he needs to include those benefits in his brochure. Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you, Chi Chi. Very well put, my friend. Hugely important benefits, indeed!
Hi Bob – excellent post… and I’m not just saying that because I’m a Coach. I’m saying that because I can credit a lot of my past and current successes to the coaches I’ve had in my life.
My success in the military, becoming a paratrooper… surrounded by great coaches (aka: Sgt Ken Taylor, Sgt Major McCardle and Col. Kenward to name a few).
I left the military for a career in sales – I lucked out! Had it not been for my first Coach (aka: Sales Manager, Tim T.) I very well may have never made it – Tim gave me the tools and support to succeed.
Rugby – I’ve won Provincial and National Championships as a player (surrounded by great coaching) and as a Coach (constantly seeking out advice from better coaches).
“Accountability” in my mind is probably the most critical piece that a coach, any coach, can bring to a client.
Lastly, the more I put myself into a position to be coached, the better I can be as a coach, which then becomes a direct benefit to my clients in business, sport and life! Everyone wins!
Thank you for your commitment to sharing so much value. You’re a great coach!
Vince, thank you. Powerful comments. And, just as important as the great coaching you received, your willingness to be coached, and to be coach”able” created the environment for your successes. Great thoughts!
Kathy turned me on to your article and I’m glad she did. Everyone is a Coach, similar to everyone is a leader. Whether or not, you want to be a coach or want to be coached, you are and you are. Every professional athlete has a coach and the impact of a great coach vs a good coach has been well-documented. With your article, I have been inspired to add a coach, a health and nutrition coach. I have a speaking coach and business coach – and guess where my biggest successes have come? Speaking and business. What area of my life needs the most improvement? Health and weight control. Time to get a coach. I have self-discipline. I have knowledge – I know what to do. Coaching is the X Factor. It is the Umph in Triumph – which of course is a Try with a little more Umph. Blessings to you and Kathy for calling my attention to this wonderful article. You are spot on with the REAL benefit of coaching.
Blessings,
Michael
Thank you, Michael. I appreciate that great feedback. Especially coming from you; a person I consider to be both a tremendous leader and coach!